Called "magic beans" by my family for 20+ years these are Lablab Purpueus, a climbing hyacinth. We've grown them upwards of 10' on a trellis. At its peak it will produce lavender flowers that eventually turn into soft seed pods. These pods turn crisp and brown and inside of them are more seeds you can harvest for friends! The flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Here is San Antonio they will grow and produce a second round of flowers and pods. They will die in a freeze. They will self sow. In this photo the hyacinth is to the right of the fall aster, you can see the young seed pods-they are purple.

I used to grow Purple Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus) on a trellis as a container plant. I lost my last one to a harsh winter freeze and didn't save seeds ... sure wish I had space for another but alas, I'm really limited on space. It's really a lovely plant and very easy to grow from seed!

Hi, I would love to send postage for some fresh seeds. I had some years ago. I am also looking for some of the pink ones. Do you have those? T-mail me and I will give you my address.I am so ready to start seeds for spring planting. Texas is so warm now that the bulbs are trying to come up. Thanks, cillay

wcgypsy said:... I see that they're excellent forage for deer...drats.

When I was at the farm store I saw a huge bag of seeds. I thought I recognized the shape and color and asked the owner what they were. He said the hunters grow them to attract deer to their favorite hunting sites. He asked his wife what was the name of the seed and sure enough they were LabLab seeds. Locals buy them by the pound so I guess deer really love these.

I only grew them once and they were beautiful (no deer here); the neighbors kept stopping to ask what that it was. Beautiful.

I read that also, about using the plant to draw deer for hunting...I sure don't like that idea, but I don't eat venison and do not have to hunt to have food. It gave me the same feeling as I had when witnessing pheasant hunters lined up to shoot pheasant just released from their cages.....yeah, yeah, I do eat beef and chicken, so I will say no more....LOL..

I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."

@kabby It really is an interesting vine with the flowers and pods ... only negative is the seeds are poisonous so if you have small children/grandchildren or pets who like to eat stuff, be aware. If I ever grow it again it will have to be outside the fenced yard because we have a Golden Retriever who eats everything he can put in his mouth! I thought he'd outgrow that phase but he's almost 3 and still likes to eat everything.

Lin, my Golden only eats socks(well rather he chews holes in them.) He'll be 3 in May. I was careful and watchful when I planted EEs last yr and I'm planning on Castor bean plants in the spring. Grandkids are too young to be without my watchful eyes on them when outside.
On my journey to find some seeds!

@wcgypsy Sherry, I know what you mean ... I found a thread once where someone was offering something that I really wanted and come to find out the thread was over 4 years old!! I don't even have a clue now what the plant was.

@kabby Our Golden Retriever Bo will be 3 in April and I really have to watch him closely outside. He doesn't eat or chew anything in the house but for some reason he thinks anything and EVERYTHING in the yard is his private, personal salad bowl! We took up the wood chip mulch because he was eating it every chance he got and I dug out all of the Elephant Ears and threw them away too. He tried to eat rocks when he was younger and he walked up to a palm tree a couple of times and began gnawing on the bark!! A few months ago I had to take him to the vet because I was so worried ... he ate part of a plastic water bottle including the lid. Vet put him on a mild diet and he eventually passed the chewed up bottle top and bits of plastic. He's a wacky dog and he loves to eat the lawn; he yanks up big chunks and lays down, munching away until it's gone. I asked the Vet if his diet was perhaps missing something and he laughed and said No, Goldens just like to experience everything with their mouths. We don't use chemicals in our yard because of the dog but I still have to be aware of him around plants because so many tropicals have toxic qualities. I love the looks of Castor Beans (Ricinus communis) but oh my, that plant is so highly toxic and I'd never forgive myself if the dog got into it.

@jvdubb Jennifer LOL, that is funny. I guess some folks missed the seed swaps but I bet a few will be watching and waiting for those seeds next year.

Our neighbor has a tiny yard and one tree in the back....and they took it out....I was horrified, of course ....besides, I'd just planted a tree to match it on our side....they have two chihuahuas and one of them eats twigs and branches, it had just cost them $1,200 to take care of a blockage on him.....ya know, personally, that would be a hard choice for me. I'm afraid I would have to find him a good home in an apartment somewhere.....yeah, I know...it would depend on how long I'd had the dog...and I do love dogs, but.........

Life without trees?

I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."